When the customer's part does not fix the problem
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog13 commentsMost shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.
Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
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By carmcapriotto
How do you create an amazing customer experience in your business? Guess what? No one is born with those skills, but your employees are can turn talent into a skill with proper training.
Joe Marconi, Executive Council Member, Elite Worldwide. Auto Shop Owner. Joe’s Episodes HERE. @Joe Marconi
Show Notes: https://www.autoshopowner.com/
It's never too early in business to prepare for the unexpected and your eventual exit. Life can throw you a curveball, and we have all heard the stories of a shop owner that had a life-changing illness or worse. As a shop owner, are you prepared for life's curve balls? And what about your family? In addition, the primary responsibility of the business owner is to create an exit strategy. It's not that you are selling tomorrow, but preparing for an exit strategy grows a successful business and is worth more. Curveballs and Exit strategies go hand in hand. Build your business as a home; build it to sell in the future THA 316 surviving health scare Delivering an amazing customer experience is taught, not assumed Amazing customer service is lacking these days, and so is creating a world-class customer experience. By the way, customer service and customer experience are different. All too often, we blame the employees, especially younger people, for not having the people skills to create an amazing customer experience. Well, no one is born with those skills, and just like the skill of playing the piano or shooting a basketball, having the talent is one thing, but to hone that talent into a skill takes training. What is great customer service? What does it look like? Do you have in-house training in place for everyone in the business? Be prepared for customers- lower their anxiety. Get into the hearts and minds of the individual- personalize it, make notes Talent comes first, develop the skills comes second
Thanks to our Partner, Dorman Products. Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
Connect with the Podcast:
-Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Check out today's partner:
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Recorded Live at Vision 2023, Al Wright and Travis Troy discuss the benefits of joining MWACA's S.O.S. (Shop Owner's Support) Group. When we can support and learn from other shop owners, we continue Advancing the Aftermarket and raising the bar for the industry. Travis also gives us an overview of Vision's newest class for general service technicians.
Al Wright, John’s Automotive, Cedar Rapids, IA. Al’s previous episodes HERE
Travis Troy, Honest Wrenches, Akeny and Des Moines, IA. Listen to Travis’ other episodes HERE
Show Notes
Travis Troy- 21 team members attending Vision 2023 MWACA SOS Shop Owner’s Support- What is an S.O.S. Group? Think of it as your advisory board. Our S.O.S. Groups consist of no more than 10 shops that meet on a monthly basis. Meetings are similar to “twenty groups” without the intense financial focus or expensive monthly commitment. Groups meet monthly at a participating shop to discuss relevant issues, set and review goals, and evaluate the hosting shop. Be vulnerable, and be transparent, not as a business owner but as a friend. We are not each other’s competition. Learning from others, raising the bar for the Automotive industry FTI- failure to implement, the number one failure for shop owners. Debrief after the SOS meeting with a list of items to work on and change. Elevate before you grow. GSTA General Service Technician Academy - 2-day course. This program benefits the technician and the shop with increased efficiency, knowledge, and safety, as well as cost-savings by helping prevent beginning mistakes. Certifications will come from Tire Industry Association (TIA), Automotive Lift Institute (ALI), and Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS). GTSA will cover- Tire Safety – hands-on mounting and dismounting, repair procedures and balancing, Tire pressure monitoring basics, Lift safety – Including Information access for proper lift placement, OSHA and shop safety training, Alignment basics, Intro to Air Conditioning, Electricity Fundamentals, Introduction to Digital Vehicle Inspections - a systematic approach to test drives, inspections, photos and videos and the benefits to the tech and to the shop of performing the DVI. Surviving a Health Scare [THA 316]
Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS. Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2023. Mark your calendar now … October 31 - Nov 2, 2023, AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at AAPEXSHOW.COM NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com Connect with the Podcast: -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By bi0h4z4rd
Hey guys,
I have always appreciated this forum and not sure how I didn't think to ask this question here to begin with!
I received an unexpected phone call from a gentleman whom I've never spoken to or met before the day after Christmasz but he was aware of me and my recent achievements while managing an independent franchise of a national auto repair chain (honestly doesn't make a difference to me if you know where u can msg me if u want. Just didn't know the rules on it)
In less than 60 seconds he was able to explain who he was, where he was from, and that he would like to move me out there for the purpose of taking over his shop and running it for him until he retires at which time I could buy it if I wanted it and I told him it is certainly a discussion we can have and would get back to him the following day.
Our next conversation I had the chance to interview him about the shop and a little about himself to which I have no objections and went on to inform him that picking up my life and moving out of state would not be a quick decision and would require a process in which 3 things would need to take place.
1. We would need to meet in person obviously, but also spend a decent amount of time in an environment outside of the work setting to get to know a little more of each other and assuming no red flags (very doubtful there are any to find) move forward
2. I would need to see the shop and be able to shadow how it's currently operated for a day or 2 and if no issues were to come up that within a few days at most I woulr let him know what it would take and the cost needed in order for me to commit to this and move.
3. We would both have to mutually agree to or re negotiate a deal to be out in writing and signed and any upfront requirements fulfilled.
Until late May I had spent the last 3 1/2 years as general manager for another franchise of the same chain that was nearly bankrupt when I started and lead it on to achieve new reocrds parts and labor sales . I wrote out a business plan outlining all new policies, procedures, products, and pay structure that changed everything from the ground up.
The first year reflected an increase in more than 150k of gross sales at just shy of 1m and the second was the highest gross sales recorded at 1.29m, and I parted ways respectably in late May on track to exceed 1.5m. (sadly, they did not make this mark)
During this time my compensation was a base salary of $1000/week, 1% of gross sales, and a weekly kicker of $250 per week gross sales ended over $20k, and an additional $250 for each $5k after for that week. 2021 I grossed $109k and this year was on track to end at $150k if I had remained.
There was nothing negative involved or that created the reason my departure. The regional manager for the 166 stores or whatever it is in the NW asked me long ago if I would ever be willing to relocate and run another "franchise store" and I had a couple people email me that I couldnt even take seriously, but never let them go any further.
I am scheduled to leave by train this Monday 1/9 where he has provided me with a hotel and rental car for a 3 day stay to complete the other steps needed to move forward.
Below is a general idea of what I have in my head as far as what I expect out of a relocation package, but I've never had to hire or been hired this way before. Needless to say I could use and would appreciate any insight from anyone that has experience or any history with this process and reasonable expectations.
1. Move in costs including first and last months rent, security deposit, and any application fees.
(I was going to put a cap on the amounts, but the cost of living there is ridiculously higher than here and I don't feel like moving from a nice 3 bdrm house that I have here to go live in some cheap 1 bdrm apartment there is the right direction lol)
2. All personal property will be prepared and packed by myself and then loaded and delivered at owners expense.
3. Pay structure to remain the same as previous Midas employer with a $250 increase to weekly salary.
4. Employee discount will be all products and parts at cost.
5. One time payment of $15,000 as incentive to ease the complications that come with relocating.
(,Thought of splitting up? 1/2 up front and other half dispersed with regular pay over next 6 mos?)
Any feedback or thoughts is welcomed and appreciated.
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